Entry Assistant City Attorney - Human Services Legal Services
About The Position
The Denver City Attorney’s Office is seeking an Entry Assistant City Attorney to join the Child Welfare and Youth Services Unit within the Human Services Legal Services Section. This is an exceptional opportunity to engage in meaningful, high-impact legal work that directly impacts the lives of children, youth, and families across Denver. As part of the team serving as in-house counsel to Denver Human Services (DHS), an agency that supports one in every three Denver residents, you will provide legal counsel and representation in matters involving child welfare and youth services. In this role, you will collaborate with dedicated professionals committed to protecting vulnerable children, strengthening families, and serving the community through compassionate and effective legal advocacy. Denver Human Services is dedicated to strengthening the safety, stability, and independence of Denver residents. As a county‑administered, state‑supervised agency with nearly 1,100 employees and an annual operating budget of approximately $300 million, DHS delivers a wide array of essential services that touch every corner of the community. Each year, the agency supports roughly 175,000 people, including children and families navigating crisis, older adults seeking support, individuals experiencing homelessness, adults with disabilities, and others in need of critical assistance. DHS works to connect clients with financial, social, and community resources that help them build safer, healthier, and more resilient lives.
Requirements
- Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree or Bachelor of Laws Degree.
- None
- Possession of a license to practice law in Colorado from the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire or a reasonable expectation of becoming licensed by the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire in accordance with C.R.C.P. 203.2, 203.3, 203.4 and 205.6.
- Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.
Nice To Haves
- Experience, knowledge, or academic coursework in juvenile law.
- Time spent as an intern or clerk in a juvenile court or juvenile-focused legal practice;
- Mediation experience and/or a mediation certificate;
- Practical experience working with Youth Programs.
- An undergraduate degree or minor in Social Work, Juvenile Justice, Sociology, Political Science, or related fields.
- A background working with neighborhood-based work or restorative justice programs.
- Experience with programs connected to the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).
- A strong commitment to public service and community-centered practice.
- Strong written and oral advocacy skills.
Responsibilities
- Provide legal consultation and representation to Denver Human Services, including social workers and administrators, at every stage of Dependency and Neglect litigation in state trial and appellate courts.
- Prepare and support social workers in Juvenile Delinquency matters by drafting motions, conducting discovery, representing the City in hearings, and handling appellate briefing and oral argument.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and community partners to develop informed recommendations and guide critical decisions affecting children, youth, and families.
- Negotiate and draft settlement agreements and other legal documents to resolve cases effectively.
- Draft memoranda, motions, briefs, pleadings, and other legal documents for judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings.
- Conduct legal research and provide legal analysis, guidance, and recommendations to colleagues and clients.
- Assist attorneys in specialized practice areas with litigation, research, and related legal matters as needed.
- Perform other duties that support the mission and effectiveness of the Human Services Legal Services Section.
Benefits
- A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
- 457B Retirement Plan
- 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday and 1 volunteer day per year
- Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1st month of start date
- Care Bank – 8 weeks of Paid Family Leave (after the probation period is passed)
- Free RTD Eco Pass
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
